Court Hearing For Miami-Dade Officer Arrested On Civil Rights Charges
MIAMI (CBSMiami) -- A Miami-Dade police officer who is accused of inappropriately pulling over female drivers appeared in federal court Friday morning.
Officer Prabhainjana Dwivedi told a judge he needed more time to hire an attorney. He said the police union is not going to help him fight federal charges of civil rights violations.
As he left the courthouse, CBS4 News producer Jasmine Kripalani asked why the union isn't helping him. He replied, "No comment, no comment."
Investigators believe Dwivedi did not have probable cause to pull the drivers over, forced the drivers to submit to unreasonable search and seizure, and allegedly acted inappropriately while doing so.
In one instance, according to the probable cause affidavit, Dwivedi pulled over a driver, asked if her breasts were enhanced, and then asked for photographic proof. He then allegedly allowed the woman to go and followed her home, where he asked for a drink and stayed for over an hour asking about her personal life.
Dwivedi is a 7 year veteran of the Miami-Dade Police Department. A department spokesperson said Dwivedi has been relieved of duty with pay pending the outcome of the Grand Jury's decision.
Authorities say the alleged civil rights violations occurred May and June of 2011.
Prosecutors believe there may be other victims. Anyone with additional information is asked to contact the FBI Miami at (305) 944-9101.
